Lesson 1: Making Meaning of APA Format - Using APA Format to Effectively Communicate Meaning s1

Assignment Structure Commentary

The purpose of this commentary is to help you understand how to interpret and apply the assignment description and some portions of the grading criteria provided for GCAP graduate papers to come up with a topic, initial direction, and structure for your paper. The assignment description in the comparative case analysis paper (GCAP 631) starts with the following statements:

For the purposes of this paper, you are required to select one theoretical model from List A (models covered in the course) and one model from List B (other models not directly covered in the course).

You are also required to select one of the Client Scenarios as a focus for your paper.

The intent of this paper is to further highlight the ways in which different theories can be applied to the same client, with positive outcomes, so long as the additional common factors are attended to. More specifically, in this paper you will be asked to compare and contrast two counselling models and apply them to a specific client scenario.

1. Compare and contrast the major tenets of each theory, paying particular attention to the Philosophical Elements (stated or implicit working assumptions that guide the theories) and the Descriptive Elements (explanation of how well the theory explains the phenomena it is intended to explain). Please refer to the Nature of Theory commentary from Lesson 1.

These paragraphs provide you with some general directions for getting started. You now know the following: o You must select two theories or theoretical models to compare. o You must draw on one of the client scenarios o You must use a particular set of criteria presented in the course to make this comparison. This means you likely don’t want to pick an obscure model that might be difficult to assess using these criteria.

The rest of the items in the assignment description table (column 1) provide you with more detailed information about the topic and required content of the paper.

2. Provide a brief analysis of the "problem," from the two different theoretical perspectives. Draw on your understanding of the nature of humans, the nature of healthy (or well-adjusted functioning), the causes of problems (or not functioning in a healthy manner), and the nature of change (from the first section of your paper above). 3. Formulate two different intervention plans (one based on each of the two theories), describing what you would do to be helpful to the client. 4. For each intervention plan, describe how common factors would facilitate a successful counselling outcome. Review the Evaluative Element from the Nature of Theory commentary and describe the significance of both theory-specific and common factors in fostering a successful outcome for the fictional client. 5. Provide a brief summary of what you have learned about the nature of theory over and above the specific counselling models. Be sure to comment on the relationship of common factors to the application of theory.

Writing & APA Lesson 2 Commentary 3 p. 1 Beneath the assignment description table, you are given specifics about the length and sources for the paper:

Your paper should be a maximum 15 pages, double-spaced, and must adhere to APA style. You are expected to provide substantive references for both of the theoretical models that you integrate. See the GCAP Scholarly Foundation in Writing for the number of recent, scholarly sources required for a paper of this length.

You know you have 15 pages to work with to complete the paper. Unless otherwise indicated, you should assume that your reference list is not included in the 15 pages. What you can now do is set yourself specific targets for a 15-page paper. In some courses, you will be given specific page lengths for various sections of the paper. In this case, you have to figure this out for yourself, but there are some clues provide in the grading criteria table, copied below.

Weight Grading Criteria 25 Marks

Scholarly Writing and APA Style - See APA Style Grading Criteria. Your instructor will focus particularly on the elements outlined under the “Scholarly 2 marks Writing Focus” above.

Comparison of theoretical tenets  Clear and concise descriptions of the major tenets of each model 8 marks  Analysis of and discrimination between ideas, assumptions, or principles  Integration of the professional literature to support your arguments

Problem conceptualization for the client scenario  Application of the theoretical tenets to the “problem” 5 marks  Reasoned rationale for your conceptualization  Integration of the professional literature to support your ideas

Application of intervention plan to the client scenario  Application of the theoretical tenets to the intervention plan 5 marks  Reasoned rationale for your conceptualization  Integration of the professional literature to support your ideas

Integration of theory specific and common factors  Analysis and application of these principles 3 marks  Reflection on value and applicability  Integration of the professional literature to support your ideas

Summary 2 marks  Analysis and reflection on personal learning

Penalties will apply for failure to adhere to the following GCAP Writing

Standards:

Writing & APA Lesson 2 Commentary 3 p. 2 o Start with the basic mathematics. In this course each section of the paper is specified in the evaluation criteria table. The content of the paper (less APA style) is worth 23 marks. Therefore, for each mark, you should allot approximately 2/3 of a page (15/23).

o Take this basic formula and work out the approximate number of pages for each section of this paper. So, for example, comparison of theoretical tenets is worth 8 marks. So, 8 x 2/3 page = 5 and 1/3 pages out of the total of 15 pages. If you only devote 2 pages to this section, you are not likely to cover all that is expected of you! [Note: This will only work for papers that have specific sections designated for you. Over time, you are expected to come up with your own structure for assignments.]

o Next, you should consider how the number of marks might translate into the number of key points you should target in each section of the paper. Normally, I would suggest you aim for one key point per half page of text. In this case, with 2/3 of a page per mark, you should probably target one to two key points per mark. Apply this to the evaluation components that make up the body of the paper. Or, you are work this out by section - the section on comparison of theoretical tenets, for example, should have at least 10 to 11 key points in the 5+ pages you write.

o Think of a key point as the central idea that you want to communicate, which may then have a number of supporting statements associated with it. The chocolate chip cookie is the key point; the ingredients you use are the supporting statements. You can’t easily make meaning of the list of ingredients unless you tie them clearly to the chocolate chip cookie!

o It is not always necessary for you to organize your paper into the specific categories in the assignment description. In a paper like this, it is probably easiest to do so. However, you may decide on a different structure, but you must make explicit to the reader where each of these components is addressed. It should also be very clear how many key points apply to each area.

Writing & APA Lesson 2 Commentary 3 p. 3 Grading Criteria

The evaluation components for the Theoretical Comparison assignment are described below. Refer to the Overall Grading Taxonomy to review the expectations associated with the levels of learning targeted through this assignment.

The page number and key point discussion above has been added to the table here.

Evaluation Description Weight Writing Targets Component (25 marks) APA Style See APA Style Grading Criteria 3 marks Introduction Introduction and history of the 1 mark 2/3 page theories Philosophical Identification of the stated or 4 marks 2 2/3 pages = 4 - 6 key Element implicit assumptions that guide points minimum the theories Descriptive Explanation of how the theories 6 marks 4 pages = 6 - 8 key points Element describe the process of minimum psychotherapy Prescriptive Explanation of what the theories 6 marks 4 pages = 6 - 8 key points Element suggest for direct intervention minimum strategies Evaluative Evaluation of how well the 4 marks 2 2/3 pages = 4 - 6 key Element theories lend themselves to points minimum confirmatory research Assessment of whether or not they have been subjected to such confirmatory research Summary Summary of the paper and 1 mark 2/3 page conclusions

As you write your paper, keep the number of key points and approximate page lengths in mind. Then, once you have completed your first draft, review the paper to ensure that you have met these basic criteria.

Writing & APA Lesson 2 Commentary 3 p. 4 The same process can be applied to the Cultural Interview paper from GCAP 633. In this case, you have 15 pages for 36 marks (40 marks less 4 for APA). This means that you need to plan for about 2/5 of a page per mark. This is a little under the half page per key point suggestion, so aiming for a bit less than one key point per mark is probably safe.

Notice that no specific marks have been allotted to the introduction and conclusion of the paper. You are still expected to include them, so you will need to take this into account when you review your paper structure.

Evaluation Component Weight Writing Targets (40 marks) APA Style - See APA Format Grading Criteria 4 marks Articulation of the central multicultural theoretical 6 marks 3 3/5 pages = 4 - 5 key constructs or processes that you see as relevant to points the interviewee's experience Identification of how these theoretical perspectives 12 marks 7 1/5 pages = 8 - 10 key lend an understanding to the experience of the points person being interviewed Elaboration on the professional practice 10 marks 5 pages = 7 - 8 key points considerations in working with a client from this particular background or culture, with particular attention to the application of the multicultural competencies Reflection on your own personal learning through 8 marks 4 4/5 pages = 6 - 7 key the experience of completing this cultural interview points

Writing & APA Lesson 2 Commentary 3 p. 5